Obituaries and Death Notices

Information about current and former Wayne County, Indiana residents and community members who have died. These obituaries are gathered from area funeral homes and other sources.

Robert “Bob” Garner Jr. On December 9, 2021, Robert “Bob” Garner Jr., loving husband and father of three children, and six grandchildren died from COVID-19 at the age of 73. He was born on December 27, 1947 in Knightstown, IN to Robert “Keith” and Alice “Eib” Garner. He attended Indiana Central College (now University of Indianapolis) and went on […] — (Posted December 16, 2021)

David Lawrence Riley Honorable Celebration of Life David Lawrence Riley was born Aug. 28, 1943, in New Castle, Indiana. At age 78, he took the Lord’s hand and caught a flight to Heaven on Saturday Dec. 11th, 2021, at 10:40 p.m., hand in hand with children. “Right before our eyes, dad flies high like a shooting star.” Dad […] — (Posted December 15, 2021)

Leonard Edward Urban Leonard Edward Urban, 79, went to be with Jesus on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, at his home, with his family by his side, following a hard battle with cancer. He was the eldest of 5 sons born to Otto and Irene Dahl Urban. He was born in Crystal Falls, Michigan on October 28, 1942. He […] — (Posted December 15, 2021)

Dallas G. Morgan Dallas G. Morgan of Centerville went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 11, 2021. He was born May 9, 1939 in Richmond, to parents Carlton and Esther Morgan. Dallas worked at Eavey’s Warehouse; he was an inspector and machinist at NATCO; he drove a school bus for 18 years; and logged millions […] — (Posted December 15, 2021)

Flora Lynette Wright Flora Lynette Wright, 92, of Connersville, passed away Saturday, December 11, 2021 at Whitewater Commons Senior Living in Liberty, Indiana. She was born June 25, 1929 in Jackson County, Kentucky to Frank B. and Eva Hurst Wilson. On March 10, 1944, she married James C. Wright in McKee, Kentucky. Along with her husband, Flora was […] — (Posted December 15, 2021)

Robert S. Lackey Robert S. Lackey, 80, a lifelong resident of Connersville, passed away Friday, December 10, 2021 at Reid Health in Richmond. He had been a patient there for the past week. He was born August 14, 1941 in Connersville, one of four children of Herman C. and Z. Louise Tyner Lackey. He attended Connersville schools and […] — (Posted December 15, 2021)

Jerry L. Turner Jerry L. Turner, age 73, passed away on Sunday December 12, 2021. He was born in Richmond, Indiana on October 12, 1948 to William Turner and Mary Wilhelm Nicholson. Jerry was a Richmond High School graduate, class of 1968 and was married in 1970 to Pamela Franklin here in Richmond. Jerry and Pamela proudly celebrated […] — (Posted December 15, 2021)

MaDonna Kay Flowers MaDonna Kay Flowers, age 69, a resident of Spiceland, passed away Monday, December 13, 2021, at Stonebrooke Rehabilitation in New Castle, In. She was born June 5, 1952, in New Castle, Indiana, a daughter of John and Betty (Stuart) Hicks. MaDonna married John Flowers on September 11, 1970, and together they had three children, Tonya, […] — (Posted December 15, 2021)

Lester Lee Hunter Lester Lee Hunter, 76, of New Castle passed away Tuesday morning, December 14, 2021 at Community Hospital in Anderson. He was born December 13, 1945 in Columbus, OH, a son of the late Willie M. and Glenna (Ellis) Hunter. He was employed by General Motors in the Metal Fabrication Division for 36 years. Lester was […] — (Posted December 15, 2021)

Rosemary Sheets RICHMOND, Ind. – Rosemary Sheets, age 75, of Richmond, Indiana, died Monday, December 13, 2021, at Reid Health. Born February 21, 1946, in Cambridge City, Indiana, to Harold and Alma Eckhart Callahan, Rosemary was a life-long resident of Wayne County, Indiana. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1964. Rosemary retired from the Palladium-Item, where […] — (Posted December 15, 2021)

John E. Drew John E. Drew, 76, passed away on Sunday, December 12, 2021. John was born on May 24, 1945, and is the son of the late John D. Drew and Louella Hamilton Drew. On April 7, 1967, he married Jean (Lanning) Drew in Connersville. John served five years in the Indiana National Guard from 1963 until […] — (Posted December 15, 2021)

Paul Eugene Pickett Paul Eugene Pickett was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He left this world after a short illness on December 11, 2021, at age 91. Despite his illness he came out a hero and stayed strong until the end. Paul was born to Mae “Pickett” Rathburn and Homer Pickett on January […] — (Posted December 13, 2021)

Raymond H. Chew Raymond H. Chew, 98, Straughn, passed on to his Heavenly home on Thursday night, December 9th, 2021, and undoubtedly was embraced by his wife of 69 years, Thelma. Raymond was born on October 26, 1923 on the Ray Morgan Farm in Knightstown, Indiana to the late Monroe and Pearl (Lewman) Chew of New Castle, Indiana. […] — (Posted December 12, 2021)

Patricia Lou Lee Hunt Patricia Lou Lee Hunt, age 84, of Richmond, Indiana, died Friday, December 10, 2021, at Reid Health. Born February 12, 1937, in Winchester, Indiana, to John Sullivan and Alma Pauline Ward Lee, Patricia lived in Wayne County, Indiana, most of her life. She worked as a manager for Insurance Company of North America (INA), now […] — (Posted December 12, 2021)

Iris Eileen Warren Iris Eileen Warren, 86, of Lynn, IN passed away Monday evening, December 6, 2021 at Reid Health of Richmond, IN. She was born April 7, 1935 in Lynn, IN the daughter of Ezra Lewis and Ruby Nell (Kenworthy) Cadwallader. She was a 1953 graduate of Spartanburg High School. Iris, a homemaker, had worked at Westinghouse […] — (Posted December 12, 2021)

Alice M. Gibbons Alice M. Gibbons, age 90, of Milton, IN. passed away on Friday, December 10, 2021 at her residence, surrounded by her family. She was born on January 20, 1931 to Howard D. and Gertrude Sarah Watler Butcher and had lived most of her life in Milton, IN. Survivors include her daughters Jennifer E. (Michael) Williams […] — (Posted December 11, 2021)

Shirley Ann Newton Shirley Ann Newton, age 83, of Losantville, went to be home with Jesus, the one who saved her and prepared her for heaven, on Friday, December 10, 2021. Shirley was born, and raised, in Losantville, IN on June 29, 1938. She was the daughter of Brooks and Gaynell (Finch) Newton. Shirley lived her life for […] — (Posted December 11, 2021)

Hazel Geneva Prince Hazel Geneva Prince, 92, of New Castle, passed away Thursday, December 9, 2021, at Henry Community Health. She was born September 27, 1929, in Livingston, Tennessee, a daughter of the late James Martin and Nancy Jane (York) Walker. Geneva was a devoted mom and grandma. She greatly enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, […] — (Posted December 11, 2021)

Ruth Ann Miers Ruth Ann Miers, age 79, resident of Spiceland, Indiana, passed away Wednesday December 8, 2021, at her residence. She was born July 18, 1942, in New Castle, Indiana, a daughter of Fred Counts and Nola (Cruz) Counts. Ruth was a 1960 graduate of New Castle Chrysler High School and also received a BS degree in […] — (Posted December 11, 2021)

Judy Galbreath Judy Galbreath 82 of Richmond went to be with her Lord and Savior on December 9, 2021. She was born November 28, 1939, in Richmond to Gordon and Lucille Quisenberry Osborne and lived in Richmond most of her life. She was a local artist and homemaker. She was a member of Stone Valley Church. Judy […] — (Posted December 11, 2021)

Linda L. Ross Linda L. Ross, 74, Cambridge City, went to her heavenly home Wednesday morning December 8, 2021 to help decorate for Christmas. A daughter of the late Roy E. and Esther Mae (Clark) Matthews, Linda was born in New Castle, Indiana on June 25, 1947. A lifetime resident of Cambridge City and the Western Wayne community, […] — (Posted December 11, 2021)

Paula Jean Kidd Paula Jean Kidd, 68, of Alquina, passed away Thursday morning, December 9, 2021 at her residence surrounded by her loving family. She was born August 17, 1953 in New Castle, Indiana, to Lester and Mayfra Sparks Kellam. She was a 1971 graduate of Connersville High School and later went on to earn her Bachelor of […] — (Posted December 11, 2021)

Matthew Alcorn Matthew Alcorn, 58, of Laurel, passed away Wednesday morning at the Brookville Healthcare Center where he had been a resident for three weeks. He had been in failing health for several years. Matthew was born June 3, 1963 in Connersville, one of three children of Whitelaw and Helen M. Alcorn Gay. He attended Laurel and […] — (Posted December 11, 2021)

Orville “Sonny” Cloyd Orville “Sonny” Cloyd, 94, of Connersville, passed away Wednesday, December 8, 2021. He was born July 29, 1927 in Laurel County, Kentucky, and is the son of the late Leonard and Sally Cloyd. He was employed at H. H. Robertson for 36 years until his retirement in 1975. In his leisure, Sonny enjoyed fishing and […] — (Posted December 11, 2021)

Marcia Louise Kinsinger Marcia Louise Kinsinger 87 of Richmond died peacefully on December 8, 2021, at Reid Health with her family by her side. She was born July 20, 1934, in Shelbyville to Melvin and Louise Caster Roemer and lived in Richmond most of her life. She retired from Richmond Community Schools where she worked as the School […] — (Posted December 11, 2021)

Wanda June Ronan Wanda June Ronan, age 86, of Richmond, Indiana, died Wednesday, December 8, 2021, at home surrounded by her family. Born July 19, 1935, in Richmond, Indiana, to Leslie Raymond and Violet Hawkins Nelson, Wanda was a life-long resident of this community. She graduated from Richmond High School. In 1963, Wanda went to work as a […] — (Posted December 11, 2021)

Gertrude “Trudy” Caldwell, Longtime Connersville resident, Gertrude “Trudy” Caldwell, 83, died Monday, December 6, 2021 at her residence. Trudy was born to Elmer and Dahlia Marcum Sparks on April 1, 1938 in McKee, Kentucky. When she moved to Connersville, Trudy was employed with the Maranella Restaurant, Simpkins Farms in Glenwood, D & M, and most recently the former […] — (Posted December 9, 2021)

Ann Bernzott Ann Bernzott, 85, passed away surrounded by her loving family at her home in Connersville on Monday, December 6, 2021. One of four children of Joseph and Martha Villing Middendorf, Ann was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 14, 1936. A nurse, Ann was employed at Good Samaratan Hospital in Cincinnati and later at Fayette […] — (Posted December 9, 2021)

Donna Ballenger Donna Ballenger, age 86, a New Castle resident, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, December 3, 3021. She was born July 30, 1935, a daughter of Vaughn and Francis Hungerford. Donna’s most “special” job as a young lady was working at Criders Drive-In where she met her husband of 62 years, who […] — (Posted December 9, 2021)

George Smith George Smith, 86, of Richmond, passed away December 6, 2021, at Reid Health after a long illness. He was born in Albany, Kentucky to Ed and Flo Smith and lived in this area most of his life. George served in the Navy and retired from Wayne Works. He is survived by his three children Mike […] — (Posted December 9, 2021)